Mobile Phone Safety
(Re-produced with permission of Norfolk
Constabulary)
Thousands of mobile phones are being stolen every
month in the United Kingdom. Young people are especially vulnerable, but by
taking a few simple steps you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim.
What you can do to protect your phone:
1 Always use your phone's security lock code or PIN number.
2 Security mark the battery (and phone) with your postcode and street number
or the first two letters of your house name. For more information on security
marking, contact the crime prevention officer at your local police station.
3 Register your phone with the operator. If you report your phone stolen, the
operator should then be able to bar further use of your phone.
4 When using your phone, remain aware of your surroundings and do not use it
in crowded areas or where you feel unsafe.
5 Avoid displaying your phone in public. Keep it with you at all times and do
not leave it unattended.
6 The 15-digit serial or IMEI number helps to identify your phone and can be
accessed by keying *#06# into most phones or by looking behind the battery of
your phone. Make a note of this number and keep it separate from your phone,
as this number could help the police to trace ownership quickly if it is
stolen.
If your phone is stolen:
1 Report the theft to the police and as soon as possible. They will want the
following details:
- Phone model details
- Phone number
- Serial/IMEI number (if you have it). This will help them to identify the
phone if it is later recovered.
2 Contact your service provider immediately, giving the number of the phone.
The network operator will then identify the IMEI number (International Mobile
Equipment Identity) for the handset and arrange for it to be blocked on their
own, and all other, networks. This means that even if the SIM card is swapped
the phone will still be useless
KEEP THESE DETAILS IN A SAFE PLACE, SEPARATE FROM YOUR PHONE.
Service provider contact numbers:
Orange:
Contract: 07973 100150
Pre-pay: 07973 100451
Vodafone:
Contract: 07836 191191
Pre-pay: 08700 776655
O2:
Contract: 08705 214000
Pre-pay: 08705 678678
T-Mobile: 0845 412 5000
Virgin Mobile: 0845 6000 789
